Cost of Living in Sturgis, SD

Population 7,111 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023

71
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sturgis is a smaller South Dakota community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $51,101 and housing costs ($236,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 62

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Sturgis

The median home value in Sturgis is $236,400 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $815/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,101/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, below the national average of 4.8%. South Dakota charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 59.6°F and lows of 33.7°F, with about 48.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sturgis has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$236,400
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$369,375
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$815/mo
38% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.2x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$598
1 BR
$702
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,213
4 BR
$1,391
Owner-occupied 64.1%
Renter-occupied 35.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$815
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,429/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.8 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.6%
Carpooled
12.8%
Public transit
1.6%
Walked
7.6%
Work from home
1.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 6.1%
State rate 4.2%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$51,101
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,739
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
34% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor Force Participation
69.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.0%
Graduate degree 4.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.5
Male median age 36.8
Female median age 43.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.6°F
Avg Low
33.7°F
Annual Precip
17.4"
Annual Snowfall
48.5"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363848576778868576604737
Low °F 131423314252595646342214
Precip" 0.310.500.912.083.452.872.281.591.221.410.470.35
Snow" 5.37.78.410.11.50.00.00.00.13.05.76.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
88.7%
Good air days/yr
101
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
352
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
12
Public schools
2,966
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sturgis, SD?

Sturgis has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sturgis, SD?

The median gross rent in Sturgis is $815 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sturgis?

The median home value in Sturgis is $236,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sturgis?

The median household income in Sturgis is $51,101 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sturgis, SD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sturgis is 6.1%. South Dakota has no state income tax.

Is Sturgis, SD affordable?

Yes, Sturgis is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Sturgis?

Sturgis has average high temperatures of 59.6°F and average lows of 33.7°F. Annual precipitation is 17.4". Average annual snowfall is 48.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sturgis at a Glance

Population
7,111
Median Income
$51,101
Home Value
$236,400
Median Rent
$815/mo
Unemployment
3.2%
Avg High Temp
59.6°F
Sales Tax
6.1%
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